Back to Ulaanbaatar for a few days
Trip Start
Nov 21, 2007
1
98
158
Trip End
Oct 01, 2008
Ulan Bator,
Mongolia
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Anka, our local guide, met us at the train station. She took us on a bit of a walk and then to a restaurant where we had a set meal together of dumplings. The plate had soup with cheese dumplings (our favorite), fried dumplings (one with beef and one with veggies), small fried balls with beef and three cucumber slices. After not having any/much beef for a few months, we thought this was yummy.
Folk Dance performance
We went to a local folk performance that was great! It had wonderful variety too. They had fabulous costumes for the religious dances. The local songs were performed by a great soprano and a tenor/bass. Three young ladies put on a great contortionist show too, which was straight out of Cirque de Soleil, amazing! There was dancing by couples with bright costumes and beautiful smiles...and of course the local "throat singing". This was strange to our ears but what a treat to listen to. We would suggest finding an example of a clip on-line if possible because we were not able to take video. This ranked HIGH on our list in Mongolia, it was so professionally done!!
After the performance, Anka took us to an "authentic Mongolian BBQ"...called BD's!!! There is a bd's in Plano just off the Tollway and Park! Our friends, Ruben and Nishani, had their rehearsal dinner there! WHO knew we would go to a BD's in ULAANBATAAR!? Come to find out it was the first American franchise in Mongolia. The food was great and was so interesting to find out why and how the BD's made it to Mongolia, at least we know it's authentic, right?
We visited the city square where Chinggis Khan (what we call Genghis Khan) sits. We also went to the Natural Museum where they have a great dinosaur collection. We had fun shopping in a supermarket too where we saw an entire half of beef just laying on the meat counter for people to purchase! We also found a local clothes shop where we found a TEXAS TECH ball cap! Where do you think they found that!? The weather was a bit rainy, but not enough to keep us out of looking around.
RANDOM: Anka had a difficult time with her sight. She had to hold things VERY close to her face to read something AND her glasses were broke in half on one side. She was such a sweetheart too. Her bday was the last day we were in UB. She sent us on our way with a birthday cake for her! Mind you the cake was not good at all, but it was such a sweet gesture.
